Here’s a band and song I just uncovered today and wanted to share – People’s Choice with “Party Is A Groovy Thing.” People’s Choice was a Philadelphia-based group probably best-known for the funky-discofied “Do It Any Way You Wanna” which hit #11 on the Hot 100 in 1975.
“Party Is A Groovy Thing” was written by bandleader Frank Brunson and produced by Gamble and Huff. The vid below captures the band performing on Soul Train, likely circa ’74 (when the single released) or ’75 (when the tune appeared on the Boogie Down U.S.A. LP.) It’s a good one. Hit the clicker.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE, ‘PARTY IS A GROOVY THING’ (‘SOUL TRAIN,’ 1974)
In the “Better Late Than Never Department” – we have Friday’s set of seventies commercials. This hearty, edible batch keeps a focus on 1976. You’ll find spots for Nacho Cheese Doritos (with long-running representative Avery Schreiber), Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips (with George Dzundza), Pillsbury Wiener Wrap (with Adam Rich & Moosie Drier), and Cheerios.
How about that “free inside” Cheerios Tricky Tracer toy? I had one, and if memory serves, it didn’t quite work as advertised. It was too flimsy to draw a steady line. Oh well, you get what you pay for I suppose. Roll ’em!
DORITOS NACHO CHEESE COMMERCIAL (SCHREIBER, 1976)
Frito-Lay Nacho Cheese Flavor Doritos Brand Tortilla Chips commercial featuring actor Avery Schreiber in a cheese shop. Spot aired December 1976.
ARTHUR TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS COMMERCIAL (1976)
Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips commercial featuring actor George Dzundza as the interviewee. Spot aired December 1976.
PILLSBURY WIENER WRAP COMMERCIAL (1976)
Pillsbury Wiener Wrap commercial featuring actors Adam Rich and Moosie Drier as hungry youngsters and the Pillsbury Doughboy (voice by Paul Frees) as himself. Spot aired March 1976 (produced in ’75).
CHEERIOS CEREAL ‘TRICKY TRACER’ COMMERCIAL (1976)
General Mills Cheerios cereal commercial featuring a ‘Tricky Tracer’ toy give-away. Spot aired November 1976.
It’s a mid-seventies thing this time around with Armour Star Bacon leading off. Following that, we’ve got Neo-Synephrine nasal spray, Nytol, and Automatic Vanish. Let the wild fun unspool!
ARMOUR STAR BACON COMMERCIAL (1974)
Armour Star Bacon commercial featuring an underappreciated mother. Spot aired March 1974.
NEO-SYNEPHRINE SPRAY COMMERCIAL (1974)
Neo-Synephrine nasal spray & drops commercial featuring old photographs. Spot aired March 1974.
NYTOL ‘RESTFUL SLEEP’ COMMERCIAL (1975)
Nytol sleeping aid commercial featuring yawning actors. Narration by Mason Adams. Spot aired November 1975.
AUTOMATIC VANISH COMMERCIAL (1975)
Automatic Vanish commercial featuring a see-through toilet bowl. Spot aired Spring 1975.
In honor of the band’s blistering and beautiful set I witnessed on Saturday at the Cruel World Festival – here’s Devo. The band perform “Blockhead” on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in 1979. The original tune can be found on theDuty Now for the Future LP and was written by Bob and Mark Mothersbaugh. Enjoy, spuds!
The vintage memories today are circa 1972 and ’73. I’ve got the usual batch of four spots for you, starting with Peter Paul’s short-lived Peanut Butter with No Jelly candy bar. Following that, you’ll find a mildly humorous Avis spot, Grecian Formula 16, and Scott’s Liquid Gold. Have a wonderful weekend!
PETER PAUL ‘NO JELLY’ CANDY BAR COMMERCIAL (1972)
Peter Paul Peanut Butter With No Jelly candy bar commercial. Spot aired in 1972 (best guess based on research).
AVIS CAR RENTAL ‘WIZARD’ COMMERCIAL (1972)
Avis car rental commercial featuring the Wizard of Avis computerized system. Spot aired October 1972.
GRECIAN FORMULA COMMERCIAL (1973)
Grecian Formula 16 & Lady Grecian Formula commercial. Spot aired October 1973.
LIQUID GOLD ‘BEAUTIFUL WOOD’ COMMERCIAL (1973)
Scott’s Liquid Gold commercial featuring a roomful of wooden furniture. Spot aired September 1973.
Today’s set of commercials are circa 1970 and 1971. Starting off, it’s Christopher Hewett (Mr. Belvedere) as a posh fellow enjoying a shower with Lifebuoy Soap. After that, we’ve got Bumble Bee Tuna (with Mary Frann), Ex-Lax, and Zenith “Giant-Screen” 25-inch TVs. I hope you enjoy.
LIFEBUOY SOAP COMMERCIAL (‘MR. BELVEDERE,’ 1971)
Lifebuoy ‘Mint Refresher’ Deodorant Soap commercial featuring actor Christopher Hewett of ‘Mr. Belvedere’ fame. Spot aired in 1971.
BUMBLE BEE TUNA COMMERCIAL (1971)
Bumble Bee Chunk Light & Solid White Tuna commercial featuring a live-action mother (Mary Frann) & daughter and an animated mascot. Narration by John Connell. Spot aired August 1971.
EX-LAX COMMERCIAL (1970)
Ex-Lax laxative commercial featuring ‘chocolated’ and ‘un-flavored’ options. Spot aired Fall 1970.
ZENITH ‘GIANT-SCREEN’ TV SET COMMERCIAL (1970)
Zenith Chromacolor 100 television system commercial featuring 25-inch ‘giant-screen consoles.’ Spot aired September 1970.
